10 Things to Know for Today

10 Things to Know for Today

December 25th, 2012by Associated Press in Local - Breaking News

A house burns Monday, Dec. 24, 2012 in Webster, New York. A former convict set a house and car ablaze in his lakeside New York state neighborhood to lure firefighters then opened fire on them, killing two and engaging police in a shootout before killing himself while several homes burned. Authorities used an armored vehicle to evacuate the area. (AP Photo/Democrat & Chronicle, Jamie Germano)

Photo by
Associated Press
/Times Free Press.

Your daily look at late-breaking news, upcoming events and stories that will be talked about today:

1. 'IT DOES APPEAR IT WAS A TRAP'

An ex-con guns down two firefighters after luring them to his upstate New York neighborhood by setting a car and a house ablaze.

2. WHAT THE POPE SAID ABOUT GOD ON CHRISTMAS

Benedict XVI asked that people make room for religion in their hectic, technology-driven lives.

3. GIFTS FOR GRIEVING NEWTOWN

People have donated toys, books and money to the Connecticut town since the Dec. 14 school shooting.

4. CHARACTER ACTOR CHARLES DURNING DIES AT 89

Durning, a World War II hero, starred in "The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas" and "Tootsie" and was nominated twice for Oscars.

5. OBAMACARE TAX HIKES ON THE WAY

The increases mainly affect the wealthy and the health care industry and kick in on Jan. 1.

6. A 'LOST TRIBE' MOVES TO ISRAEL

Dozens of Jews who claim to be the descendants of a biblical tribe emigrated from their northeastern Indian village.

7. DOUBTS FOR A TRUCE IN SYRIA

An international envoy indicates no progress had been made toward ending the civil war after meeting with Assad.

8. HOW THE PRESIDENT SPENDS CHRISTMAS VACATION

Obama worked out at the Marine Corps base gym, golfed and met up with his family at a Hawaii beach.

9. A SURVIVOR OF SANDY DIES IN PUERTO RICO

Dylan Smith, a 23-year-old lifeguard who used his surfboard to ferry people to safety in New York's Rockaways , dies in a surfing accident.

10. WHAT THE AP SAID ABOUT 'LES MISERABLES'

Movie Critic Christy Lemire says the big-screen version of the musical is "enormous and sprawling and not the slightest bit subtle."